Friday 29 July 2016

Five on Friday... By the skin of my teeth!

What a silly expression that is... Skin of my teeth! But I've made it just about with still a few hours of Friday left. As ever ideas for blog posts pop into my head and just as quickly pop out again and I don't seem to get around to them. So instead a rapid round up of my week under the guise of Five on Friday, before I head off teaching at my last ever summer school at Missenden Abbey next week.

1.Birthday Cakes


Two special birthday cakes that speak for themselves really. These are my favourite type of cakes to make and decorate... a bit of a challenge and fun to do.


2. Crochet


One of the benefits of Open Studios being so quiet was I had hours and hours to read, sew, knit... and crochet. Which means I have finished my Frida Kahlo blanket. This was going to be the subject of a blog post all of its own but I've run out of tiime this week and you can pretty much see what it looks like thrown over the sofa. I'm pleased with the way it has turned out but I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with it now!


3. The Farm Shop

For four weeks I have spent a whole day a week baking cakes and cookies for the farm shop and the response has been luke warm to say the least. What seemed to sell one week was left on the shelf the next and each week I was bringing back home as much or more than I sold. I was at the point of thinking maybe it wasn't a great idea but this morning I delivered a whole batch of mini loaf cakes. Nothing else, just loaf cakes in different flavours. And I got a message earlier this evening that they have flown off the shelf... like hot cakes! So guess what I've done this evening... yep, made a load more to deliver tomorrow! 

4. Hector


My little puppy has started to look like a grown up dog! He is only just four months but look how much he has grown! We've moved from puppy class to puppy cadets and he continues to make us laugh... and occasionally despair. But it is lovely to have a dog around the house again.


5. What... no five


Does it count to leave you with more cake? Or am I bending the rules of Five on Friday? But cake has suddenly become such a significant part of my life I fear I am going to bore you with cake... and just when you've had enough... even more cake
These cherry bakewells were made as part of a big order of cakes for a friend this week

Joining in with Amy for Five on Friday

23 comments:

  1. Um.....I think cake is welcome anywhere, any time!
    Good luck with the second batch of mini loaves!

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  2. My goodness, Hector has grown!

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  3. How on earth you find time in that hectic life of yours to crochet a blanket I'll never know but I love it. Is it your own design or from a pattern? I immediately want to make one despite a nagging voice in my head telling me 'that's a joke' as it looks like it needs dedication, attention to detail and quite a bit of yarn. Could you tell a bit more just for me?

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  4. No such thing as too much cake. Especially yours. And cherry bakewells.

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  5. Always a delight to see your delicious cakes.

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    1. You are very kind, thank you. Once upon a time I used to blog about all sorts of things but now it seems to be all cake!

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  6. Gorgeous cakes as usual, especially those cherry bakewells. Hector is becoming a very handsome young man, and I love your crocheted blanket. Leave it on the sofa and just enjoy looking at it.

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  7. So glad you have found something that the farmshop can sell! I hope it keeps up.
    Sandy in Bracknell

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  8. There could never be too many of your cakes! The Frida Kahlo blanket looks wonderful.

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  9. Hello. Your blanket turned out lovely; another blog friend just finished the same pattern. Your cakes look so, so yummy. You've inspired me to bake. And, your puppy is adorable! Enjoy your day. Pat

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  10. Your blanket looks fabulous, you should keep it for the colder days, to snuggle up with Hector. Glad your little cakes are a success. Mmmm mini bake well tarts, I'd eat two or three of those! x

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  11. Beautiful crocheting~ Never have too many cakes. Your puppy is indeed growing up quickly.

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  12. Cakes - Yum! Blanket - Fab! Hector - so gorgeous!

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  13. I would say Mr Kippling is shaking in his boots, his cherry bakewells NEVER looked that good!!
    Hector is gorgeous, as is that blanket!! :)
    V x

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  14. Oh my goodness, I love the blanket! It is so vibrant, and the 3D flowers lift it out of the ordinary. Mini loaves are obviously the way to go for the farm shop, hope they continue to sell well x

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  15. Never too many cakes. especially as I can drool as much as I like, knowing I can never eat them - much too far away. Your blanket is lovely, do keep it over the back of your sofa. Hector is gorgeous, he iis going to be a big, handsome chap soon.

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  16. I can't imagine those cakes not flying off the shelves! They look delicious! Hector is adorable. The blanket is beautiful. I enjoyed my visit!

    Cindy Bee

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  17. You have until 7pm on Saturday to add your post - although of course not now until September!! Hee hee! I loved your five of course as always, especially the crochet, and who doesn't love cake, but oh gosh, seeing Hector!!! He really has grown so much hasn't he!! A lovely doggy!! Thank you too for joining Five On Friday. I hope that you have a great August and I look forward to seeing you again in September! xx

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  18. You could NEVER bore me with cake -- I LOVE cake! Hector is growing up too fast -- are you feeding him cake??? And YAY! for the little loaf sales -- I'm not surprised at all -- they look amazing!

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  19. I hope that the mini loaf cakes have really hit the spot and that you start to make a profit.

    Love that quilt and the cakes.

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  20. Gina, before I move on to cake commenting, I just have to tell you that the idea of Hector as a cadet pup just make me laugh out loud. I expect that he, in his totally charming way, has no idea of this promotion.

    It must have been a bit ...oh, I will let you fill in your own word, to have that last Missenden Abbey workshop. There are so many folks with talents that you have taught and encouraged. Bravo!

    Now, on to those cakes. It's grand that the special commission continue to come.

    Glad that the Farm Shop let you know about a current customer trend. Glad that you've got the energy, ingredients and organization to bake some more of those minis. (I'm guessing that you might be off the crutches now?)

    Ahhh, those cherry bakewells. I think that I could gobble down the entire batch. I am not kidding!

    It is about to turn into peach season at the farmers markets around here, and I wish the weather were cool enough for me to contemplate making some sort of pie, or crumble or something that involved pre-heating the oven.

    xo to you and yours.

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